Tuesday, April 5, 2016

The London Book Fair 2016: Are you attending?

Are you planning to attend the London Book Fair this year? Elaine Roberts has
purchased her ticket and is heading to Olympia for her first taste of one of
the publishing industry’s premier events. Here she tells us of her expectations
and will return later in the month to share her experiences.

For several
years I have heard talk of the London Book Fair (LBF), about the many talks and publishers that attend. However, every year work commitments have prevented me
from attending. The good news is that I officially gave up work on the 31st
March, so my time is my own and guess where I’m going, yes that’s right, The
London Book Fair.

I
purchased my ticket on line, which seems to be excellent value at £35 as it gives
access for all three days, 12th – 14th April. I’m not
sure I will have the energy for all of them, however, it does mean that a
decision doesn’t have to be made months in advance as to which days to attend.
I am so excited and imagine it to be similar to the Ideal Home exhibition, but
for people in the publishing world, including print, audio, television, film as
well as potential authors like me. Last year it attracted over 25,000 visitors
so I’m expecting it to be a great experience and with a great buzz in the
atmosphere. You can’t beat being surrounded by like minded people.

What
will I do when I get there? Apart from gathering lots of paperwork, I really
don’t know. I have returned to the website
many times. It tells me there are numerous events on each day, and then there
are the exhibitors. Almost every country appears to be represented on the
exhibitors list for Services to the Publishing Industry. There is so much to
see and hear that it is so hard to make a decision. There are many publishers
represented there as well, from all over the world and it seems covering all
genres, fiction and non-fiction. There are talks on numerous subjects from
self-publishing to opening a bookshop. Can you imagine owning your own
bookshop; I’d never leave, with all those books to read!

On
arrival, a visitor is given a catalogue, which is full of information about
everything that is going on at the LBF, including floor plans. I am lucky
enough to be meeting up with fellow writers who are seasoned LBF visitors,
Elaine Everest, Francesca Capaldi Burgess and Natalie Kleinman. I’m sure they
will guide me through the day. A plan of what I am hoping to achieve before I
go would be a good idea, otherwise I could be swamped with information and
probably left a little overawed with the whole experience. Alternatively, I
could just let the experience take me where it wants and go again next year
with more of a plan; is that opting out of making a decision?

I
believe a good night’s sleep the night before, a hearty breakfast and comfy shoes
will be in order for the day.

About Elaine:

Elaine is a member of the RNA’s
New Writers’ Scheme and is currently working on a family saga set in the1800s.
She has sold short stories worldwide and enjoys attending RNA events such as
the London chapter and our annual conference. Elaine is a great fan of writing
retreats either week long by the sea with friends or one-day retreats with fellow
writers in her hometown of Dartford. Elaine runs a writing blog along with
writer, Francesca Capaldi Burgess called WriteMindWritePlace.

If you’ve attended The London Book Fair and can advise Elaine please
post in the comment section below. Elaine will be reporting back in a few weeks
to tell us about her experiences at the LBF.

The RNA blog is brought to you by

Elaine Everest & Natalie Kleinman

If you would like to write for the blog please contact us on
elaineeverest@aol.com

Subscribe Now: Feed Icon

Loves Me Loves Me Not

Romantic Novelists' Association

We work to enhance and promote the various types of romantic and historical fiction, to encourage good writing in all its many varieties, to learn more about our craft and help readers enjoy it.

Romantic Fiction covers an enormous range, from short stories through category romance and much of women's fiction, to the classics. The nature of romantic fiction means that most of these novels are written and read by women. The RNA, however, boasts a number of very successful male authors amongst their membership.